Dobson tabbed for House seat

A McDowell County Commissioner has been appointed to fill a vacant seat in the North Carolina House of Representatives.

On Tuesday, Josh Dobson was officially appointed to the 85th House District seat by the executive committee of the district Republican Party. He will fill the term vacated by Rep. Mitch Gillespie, who resigned to become the Assistant Secretary at the Department of Natural Resources.

“I am honored by the trust placed in me to represent the citizens of the 85th District,” Dobson said, in a statement. “I am eager to begin my work in Raleigh on behalf of the people of Avery, Mitchell, and McDowell counties.”

Dobson was elected to the McDowell County Commission in 2010. He is a native of the county and graduated from Avery County High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from Gardner-Webb University and a master’s degree from Appalachian State.

Gillespie will now turn his attention to working at the Department of Natural Resources. He said that he believed Dobson will do well in Raleigh.

“I am confident that he will continue the work we’ve started in our district and in Raleigh,” Gillespie said.

North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis said, in a statement, that Dobson will have big shoes to fill in his new role.

“I am eager to work with Josh Dobson, and I have no doubt that he will be an effective advocate for his constituents and will play an important role in the North Carolina House of Representatives,” Tillis said.